"I just feel really bad about hearing that," he said of Ackerman’s death. "That shows you how careful you should be whenever you’re out and how quickly life can change."

Risinger worked with Ackerman when Risinger was the district engineer in Peoria for the Illinois Department of Transportation. The two men worked on the Interstate 155 project that widened the road to four lanes. Risinger said the workers enjoyed Ackerman because he visited the construction sites and talked with them.

"Jay was always an easy guy to talk to," he said. "He was a guy that farmed and liked the outdoors. He made connections with the guys doing the work. He was not afraid to get out of the car and get dirty and dusty."

Before retiring from the legislature, Ackerman’s tenure included work with the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and establishing a state fish and wildlife area in Cass County. He was also known for his involvement in and support for hunting and wildlife issues.

He served in the House from 1979 to 1982 and from 1987 to 1999. Ackerman’s longtime aide and campaign manager, Keith Sommer, succeeded him as representative. Sommer could not be reached for comment.

"I’m getting to be an old man," Ackerman joked with the Journal Star in August 1997 about his choice to retire.

Friends since childhood, Ken Aupperle said Ackerman’s role in public will be greatly missed.

"He was willing to serve, he spoke his mind," Aupperle said.

Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria, served with Ackerman in the House for about 10 years.

Leitch said Ackerman’s sense of humor often entertained members of the General Assembly who weren’t familiar with the countryside.

"It was very rural," Leitch said. "So some of his suburban friends were amused at some of his more rural sayings and observations."

Above all, Leitch described Ackerman as a good-natured person.

"What you saw was what you (got)," he said. "He was just a very genuine, generous and thoughtful person who was liked and admired by all his colleagues."

Jacqueline Koch can be reached at (309) 686-3251 or jkoch@pjstar.com. Frank Radosevich II can be reached at (309) 686-3142 or fradosevich@pjstar.com.

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